Malala Yousafzai Heroism

A genuine hero is as rare as a sunflower in the desert, bringing brightness, hope, and revival to all who interact. Involuntary assistance, presumptuous positivity, and colossal conviction create a hero destined to change the world in an immense way. Malala Yousafzai’s sheer conviction to fight for her faith and the greater good of society is so strong, the face of death is no obstacle for defending personal and global beliefs, proving her unambiguous heroism.

Yousafzai and Odysseus are categorized as separate antithetical heroes; Odysseus is a deceitful and revengeful hero, while Yousafzai is purely genuine and truthful demanding justice. Contrary to violent retaliation, Yousafzai, “became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize”

She hosts as well as attends political events involving female education around the world including, “opening a school for Syrian girls in Lebanon” (Biography.com 14). Opening a school in Lebanon was not an act towards self-gain, it was an act of determination to improve conditions for female educational rights. Thanks to Yousafzai, opening the school will affect many young women and children by providing a safe place to receive education. Odysseus often persisted to remain in the power role of a relationship between himself and another woman. More dramatically, he had no moral issue murdering woman he felt were impure, when he ordered Telemachos to, “’tell the women to come here… kill them all” (Homer 251). Odysseus was the epitome of the overpowering male figure, always undermining the worth of women. Unlike Odysseus, Yousafzai has made it her life’s work to end discrimination against women in all aspects of life. Heroes should be idolized for their understanding of equality and human values opposed to looks and iron-steel

Despite ongoing death threats, Yousafzai perseveres in her fight against the Taliban through building schools, activism events, and her recovery after her surgery, which included, “a repair of a facial nerve to fix the paralyzed left side of her face” (Biography.com 10) and many other extensive surgeries. She never backed down and despite all odds, she recovered completely and chose to become one of the world’s most eminent female educational activists of the 21st century. The easy option would have been hiding from the Taliban after she recovered, however, she courageously rose above and continues to risk her life daily. On the other hand, Odysseus’ travels were all to help him return home and he was given ample protection from the gods, “’if the gods are to give you such a comfortable burden of old age, there’s hope that you will come safely through your other trials’” (Homer 258). Odysseus often completed tasks he needed to finish due to his success and fortunate benefits, not in favor of other people. He had no issue sparing the lives of others for his own personal gain, which shows he is no hero, but a hero to himself. A hero is someone who can look back and recount the numerous lives they have touched and changed; Odysseus is able to look back at his voyage and realize he only saved himself at the expense of his entire